Desk structure



March 29, 1932. O HENDERSON 1,851,906

DESK STRUCTURE Filed March 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 29, 1932. o, G, HENDERSON DESK STRUCTURE Filed March '7, 1951 2 Sheets-Shee 2 Gttorncg Patented Mar. 29, 1932 PATENT OFFICE OLIVE GRACE HENDERSON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO DESK STRUCTURE Application filed March 7,

This invention relates to desk structures, and is adapted particularly for use in connection with school work where the structure may be adapted to a variety of uses.

A further object of the invention is to construct a desk adaptable to such uses in such manner as to greatly simplify the construction and operation of the desk and which at the same time affords the greatest possible amount of working and storage space in the minimum room.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a desk structure of that type wherein the top surface is tiltable or ad ustable, adapting the same particularly to art work, and wherein there is provided means of an improved nature for readily ad usting the easel portion toward or away from the student, as well as varying the angle of the easel in accordance with the convenience of the student. With these objects in view together with others as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of adesk structure in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a. front edge view, on a slightly enlarged scale, of the upper portion of the desk structure,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through a portion of the supporting frame for the desk top,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the structure as shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectlonal view taken substantially upon line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a desk structure involvin a slight modificatlon of the invention, an

Fig. 7 is a similar view of a further modified form of the desk.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the invention is shown in connection with acombined desk and chair structure, wherein 8 represents the table legs,

1931. Serial No. 520,904.

which support at their upper ends the rigid horizontally disposed platform 9 and a chamber or compartment 10. This compartment is preferably arranged at one side of the table structure and to the right thereof, to be most convenient to the student seated in the chair forming a part of the unit, and has its upper edges disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane with said platform.

The invention comprehends generally the arrangement of a top 11 which provides the working surface for the student, when used either as a desk or as an easel. This top is so arranged upon the platform or desk structure as to be capable of being adjusted toward or away from the student, and its angularity 'may be varied to suit the desires of the student or in accordance with \the character of work to be performed. In carrying out these objects, the top 11, is hinged at its forward edge as at 12 to a frame which includes s aced parallel channel members 13 snugly amfslidably confined between blocks or cleats 14 secured to the platform 9. These channel members may be made of light and narrow gage steel or other metal, and are secured together by straps 15 disposed laterally of and comprising a part of the frame.

The channel portions of the members 13 are disposed upwardly, and one leaf 16 of each hinge is rigidly secured by a suitable means within its respective channel at the forward edge thereof. The other leaves 17 of the hinge members are elongated as shown particularly in Fig. 3, and are secured to the underface of the top 11 by screws or any other preferred retaining elements. The outer ends of the leaves 17 are hingedly connected with the inner extremities of arms 18; the outer or free extremities of which rest Within their respective channels and may be engaged with any one of a number of stops 19 formed in the base of the channel members.

By constructing the top and mounting the same in the manner described, it is apparent that the frame which carries thetop 11 may be slid longitudinally within the ways between the blocks 14 to suit the convenience or work of the student, and it is also ap arent that the inclination of the top 11 may varied quite easily to suit the convenience or work of the stu ent. When the top 11 is lowered to horizontal position, the hin 'e leaves 17' and the arms 18 will be received within the channel portions of the members 13, and

therefore offer no obstruction to the lowering of the top.

In that form of the invention disclosed by Figs. 1 and 2, the compartment 10 is provided with a top or cover 20 hinged as at 21 to the outer edge of the compartment so as to be raised or lowered upon the upper open end of the compartment. This cover is so positioned, however, as to have its u per face in the same plane with the top 11 w en lowered, in order to provide a continuous working surface for the student.

In that form of the invention disclosed by Fig. 6 of the drawings, the top 11 extends entirely over and above the compartment 10, and the latter is provided in its forward face with a drawer 22 having a handle 23 thereon for convenience in opening or closing the same.

In that form of the invention disclosed by Fig. 7 of the drawings, the top 11 is broken along the line 24 to provide a top 25 for the compartment 10. This top plate 25 is hinged as at 26 to the top 11. In this form of the invention, the entire top surface of the desk or table is slidable and adjustable angularly, and when in horizontal position the leaf portion 25 affords a cover to the compartment which may be moved to open or closed positions when desired. This form of the invention affords all advantages secured by that type of desk shown in Fig. 6 with the added advantage of a hinged top in lieu of the drawer structure as disclosed in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided a desk structure which is very simple and economical in construction, wh ch will possess considerable rigidlty, and wh ch is adaptable to a variety of uses in connection with school work. In instances where the top is elevated to assume the function of an easel, as for drawing or painting operations, that portion of the platform 9 immediately adjacent to the student may be utilized as a .rest or support for paints, pencils, crayons, brushes and other materials used in connection with such work.

While the foregoing is a description of the invention in its preferred embodiments, it

nevertheless is to be understood that variations in the construction of parts and details of construction may be resorted to as desired without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a table platform, a frame slidable beyond either the forward or rear edges of said platform, a top hingedly connected to said frame, and means for holding said top in angular positions.

2. In combination, a table platform, a frame slidable be ond either the forward or rear edges of sai platform, a top hingedly connected at one edge to said frame, and arms hinged at one end to said top and engageable at their other ends with portions of said frame to hold said top in angular positions.

3. In combination, a table platform, a

frame slidable upon said platform and carry ing a top member, hinge members connecting one edge of said top to said frame, the leaves of said members secured to said top extending a substantial distance toward the free end of said top, and arms hinged at one end to the extremities of said leaves and engageable at their 0 posite ends with portions of said frame to ho d the top in angular positions.

4. In combination, a table platform, a pair of channel members arranged in spaced parallel position and for longitudinal sliding movement upon said platform with the channels disposed upwardly, hinge members each having one leaf secured in the base of one of said channel members, the other leaves of said hinge members being elongated, a top secured to said elongated leaves, arms hinged to the outer ends of said elongated leaves and having their free ends resting in their respective channels, and spaced stops in the said channels to be engaged by said arms.

5. In combination, a table structure, a frame slidable upon said structure, said frame comprising apair of spaced channel members parallel with each other and having their channels disposed upwardly, means rigidly connecting said channel members, a hinge of each channel member, one leaf of each hinge permanently secured in the channel of its respective member at the end thereof, the other leaves of said hinges being elongated, a table top secured to said elongated leaves, arms hinged to the free ends of said elongated leaves and having their ends resting in said channels, and stops arranged in spaced relation in said channels to be engaged by said arms, said leaves and arms to be received in said channels when said top is disposed parallel with said channel members.

6. In combination, a table, a pair of sections providing a top for said table, a frame slidable laterally beyond either the forward or rear edges of said table and supporting i one of said sections, means whereby said section may be held in angular adjustment on said frame, and said adjustable section having its upper surface flush with the other section when in its lowermost position of adjustment. 1

7. In combination, a table, a platform on said table, a compartment at one end of said table having its upper edges in substantially the same horizontal plane as said platform, a

frame on said platform slidable laterally of said table be 0nd either the forward or rear edges thereo a top carried by said frame and admstable an larl thereon, and the lower 5 surface of sai tog posed in the same horizontal plane wit the upper edges of said compartment when the top is in its lowermost position of adjustment.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto afiixed 10 my signature.

OLIVE GRACE HENDERSON. 

